Enable screen sharing without audio/video call
Enable an option to start a screen sharing session without starting a an audio.video call. This is a common use case in our organization.

UPDATE: I have confirmed with the feature team that this is, in fact, functioning as you expect – you can share your entire desktop or a specific window directly from a private chat session, without starting audio or video. The mute microphone button is enabled so you are able to easily add audio by “unmuting”, but we realize this is causing confusion. We are working on further experience improvements.
Please feel free to respond to teamsml@microsoft.com if you are still seeing issues.
Thanks,
Alex
415 comments
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Robert commented
This is a big deal. I hope this get implemented in the next update.
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Ryan commented
Booooooo backlog!!!! Really need this feature to be effective. We have another phone solution already and use that for calls and meetings and our desktops and thin clients don't have capabilities for calls/video. Want the ability to share when on a call without starting an unneeded call.
Was really looking forward to this being implemented. Disappointing to see it moved to backlog.
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Bob commented
Disappointing that this was put on the backlog. Would be a really useful feature.
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Cory commented
This is a feature that should NOT be on the backlog. This is an incredibly important feature needed for our business and many others. Honestly, its one of the main reasons why we can't replace Skype for Business in our enterprise.
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AJ commented
It is was a minor letdown this basic feature was not implemented from day one but extremely disappointing it isn't a feature over a year since the request. The community is not asking for functionality that would require major new development, but is instead asking for an existing function to operate in a standalone fashion. I find it hard to understand what the obstacles could be that an experienced development team would need to overcome to add a button with screen image on it which calls the screen share function, which already exists within the application. I understand this may be an oversimplification of the request but I'm sensing the roadblocks are coming from a management team rather than the development team especially considering the multiple requests for clarification as to why the user community is requesting this feature.
I know my users share screens sometimes just a desk or two away but when they attempted to do this in Teams they were distracted by the video and the audio generated unpleasant echos until they eventually muted their mics and speakers. Some users I know would not appreciate being on video even to the point of becoming embarrassed.
The ideal solution would include the ability to give control, switch sides, and a few markup tools.
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Dan commented
We recently started moving our sales teams over to Teams. We use the share screen option in S4B ALL the time. Sometimes when on a Skype call, sometimes when on a landline or cell call. I looked for the ability to just share my Teams screen when on a cell call with someone yesterday, and was VERY surprised that's not an option. We had to hang-up the cell call, start a Teams call, then share our screen. Definitely not ideal....
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Anonymous commented
To be clear, what is needed is screen sharing without ANY calling (voice or video). Warren, your update says without "video calling".
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Anonymous commented
Can you screen share in Microsoft Teams as easily as I am able to do in Skype?
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David Buitenhek commented
We are going to give Microsoft Teams a try. Although the ability to share screens without a phone/video call is annoying and takes extra steps (and is more difficult for our not-so-tech-savvy staff), it is still technically possible.
We were debating over using Stride, although Stride costs $3/user/month for group screen sharing. Their system design is great - they show a meeting link (for external participants) along with radio buttons for call, video, screen-share (all or any can be selected). We just can't justify the price increase over using an app that is already included in our Office 365 bundle.
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Tammy commented
I agree with other posters in that I was shocked that this functionality was left off and as a result leaves us having to use two tools. I am unimpressed so far
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David Buitenhek commented
We are going to give Microsoft Teams a try. Although the ability to share screens without a phone/video call is annoying and takes extra steps (and is more difficult for our not-so-tech-savvy staff), it is still technically possible.
We were debating over using Stride, although Stride costs $3/user/month for group screen sharing. Their system design is great - they show a meeting link (for external participants) along with radio buttons for call, video, screen-share (all or any can be selected). We just can't justify the price increase over using an app that is already included in our Office 365 bundle.
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David Buitenhek commented
If you need a different perspective for the Feature Team, tell them that Stride allows users to start a call/meeting and choose any (or all) of the three features - camera, microphone, screen-sharing.
WE WILL USE STRIDE SINCE BASIC, SIMPLE FUNCTIONALITY IS ALREADY AVAILABLE.
And no, I don't work for Stride.
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Doug commented
Skype for Business has this feature (screen share with no call required) so it's puzzling that it's gotten backburnered in Teams.
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Rob commented
To me, it's a bit surprising that this functionality was never thought of in the first place. I'm not complaining, but maybe you need more usability people on staff? We enjoy being a part of the process, and want to continue to, but I don't know anyone who doesn't want this feature. The first time I used it, I was immediately disappointed that screen sharing was tied to call/video. It seems extremely common and common sense. My guess is they use their apps a certain way, and then that becomes policy, so they think, "Nobody internally complains about this" because that's what people do at a company, suck it up.
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Ty commented
OK, I want to have the following:
During a chat, just click "share screen" allow to share my screen with the person/group I am chatting with.
If you can add "swap control" with a person, great but not a 1.0 feature.Audio in the chat as well as video are required so you can help the other person and get facial feedback on how well they are following your screen share, just like you were doing it person.
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Ruben commented
The survey is missing a major distinction; Audio/video should be separated. During collaboration we ALWAYS share screens with audio, but almost never with video.
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Nexion commented
When helping someone with something I don't want them distracting me with blah blah blah in my ear while I am attempting to do work. Text messages can be ignored if they are irrelevant to the primary effort, and ignoring them can be excused by focus on the task. Additionally not having voice or video up allows one to multitask any time not needed by the primary task instead of finding a need to fill the dead air with smalltalk. Not having this capability forces us to use a third party product or to mute our microphone claiming bad hardware.
It is somewhat lame that we have to ask for this.
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Anonymous commented
PLEASE DO THIS! only thing missing from Teams that was in S4B
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Andreas commented
From survey, "Which chat application do you currently use? Please select all that apply" but the question has radio buttons and you are only allowed to pick one.
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Anthony G commented
In Skype I can screenshare and not talk / video call, why not in team, why do we need to use more bandwidth to do a task when we don't need to.. I find it odd the resistance to this while so many have votedon this.. and a very personal survey that well only makes ask more firmly state what all the votes and comments already have stated... no more "delaying" please